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Constructing a New Understanding of the Environment under Postsocialism

Author

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  • Tassilo Herrschel

    (Department of Social and Political Studies (Geography), Regent Campus, University of Westminster, London W1B 2UW, England)

  • Timothy Forsyth

    (Department of Geography and Environment, London School of Economics, London WC2A 2AS, England)

Abstract

This paper introduces a special grouping of papers on the theme of the environment and postsocialism. After the collapse of state socialism in Europe between 1989 and 1991, many immediate approaches to environmental reconstruction assumed that economic liberalisation and democratisation would alleviate problems. Since then, critics have argued that these proposed solutions were themselves problematic, and too closely reflected Western European and North American conceptions of environmental quality and democracy. The result has been a counterreaction focusing on detail and specificity at national levels and below. In this paper, we summarise debates about the environment and postsocialism since the period 1989–91. In particular, we examine whether an essentialistic link can be made between state socialism and environmental problems, and how far civil society—or environmentalism—may result in an improvement in perceived environmental quality. Finally, we consider the possibility for developing an approach to the environment and postsocialism that lies between crude generalisation and microscale studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Tassilo Herrschel & Timothy Forsyth, 2001. "Constructing a New Understanding of the Environment under Postsocialism," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 33(4), pages 573-587, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:33:y:2001:i:4:p:573-587
    DOI: 10.1068/a3391
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. White, Gordon & Howell, Jude A. & Shang Xiaoyuan,, 1996. "In Search of Civil Society: Market Reform and Social Change in Contemporary China," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198289562, Decembrie.
    2. Caedmon Staddon, 2001. "Restructuring the Bulgarian Wood-Processing Sector: Linkages between Resource Exploitation, Capital Accumulation, and Redevelopment in a Postcommunist Locality," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 33(4), pages 607-628, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Konczal, Agata A., 2020. "Why can a forest not be private? A post-socialist perspective on Polish forestry paradigms – an anthropological contribution," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).

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